I would like to voice my opinion and concerns regarding the planned truncation of the Newcastle rail line at Wickham.

This issue has plagued us for many years, probably more than many realise. I worked at Newcastle station in the 1970s and it was talked about then.

At that time there were several options such as termination of the line at Civic, Hamilton and Broadmeadow and even the building of a transport interchange in the vacant Woodville Junction triangle.

The rail corridor from Hamilton through to Newcastle was to be maintained as “open space” to allow a view from Hunter Street through to the harbour. How things have changed once the greedy developers have muscled in.

At the 2011 election, the Liberal Party did not get a mandate to cut the line. As it has turned out, the winning Liberal candidates have been proven to have accepted cash and other in what appears to be payment for favours in the past and future to further line their pockets.

In light of the ICAC findings to date and who knows what the next weeks will uncover, the Premier must listen to the people and suspend all developments proposed for the Newcastle CBD.

It is obvious to everyone, even those who possibly don’t care about the line, that this particular project must be reversed.

I find it remarkable that this NSW Government has to sell off a part of Newcastle in order for it to do something for Newcastle. This would not happen in Sydney, western suburbs or the Illawarra region.

For those who have not travelled by train to Newcastle for some time, do it, and just see for yourself the obvious impact of cutting the line at Wickham.

My wife and I regularly use the train and it would be nothing short of criminal to do what “they” are planning.

I cannot understand why this decision has been made – even now after all the debate.

It’s to appease the few business barons in fattening their wallets. The same barons involved in building many of the outlying shopping centres that have drawn people away from the Newcastle CBD.

Mr. Baird, listen to the people and do the honourable thing in light of ICAC and the dishonourable Newcastle MPs.

David Peacock

Heddon Street,

Heddon Greta.